Health Benefits Of Chives
If there is a spice plant that we particularly love, not because its
taste is strong like onion or garlic, for example, but precisely because
it is delicate and pleasant in the mouth – it is chives. This wonderful
spice plant, whose full name is garlic chives (and botanically, it
actually has no connection to the wild chive plant), is used to prepare a
variety of dishes, such as salads and omelets, as a topping for
potatoes or often added to white cheeses. What you may not have known
about it is that it is a plant with numerous health benefits, and there
are historical records from the Roman Empire period indicating its use
for medicinal purposes. To help you understand more about the health
benefits that chives hold, we have prepared a list of the 10 most
prominent ones – read it, and you will undoubtedly want to consume more
of it to support your body.
1. Helps Protect the Heart
The compound allicin, which chives are rich in, is responsible for
making this spice plant highly beneficial for your heart. Allicin is
known as a substance that helps the body lower blood pressure levels, as
it releases nitric oxide into the bloodstream, making blood vessels
less rigid, allowing smoother and better blood flow, and reducing the
buildup of plaque that clogs veins and causes blood clots. Additionally,
allicin helps increase levels of HDL cholesterol, the "good"
cholesterol, and reduces levels of LDL cholesterol, the "bad"
cholesterol – another property that undoubtedly works in favor of the
heart, as supported by a study published in 2012. Furthermore, the
vitamin C in chives improves the elasticity of blood capillaries and
enhances the body’s iron absorption, while the folic acid in the plant
prevents the narrowing of blood vessels.
2. Strengthens Bone Health
Chives contain a significant amount of vitamin K – a component that
makes a substantial contribution to the health and strength of the
body’s bones. This vitamin helps maintain the integrity and density of
bones and supports the regulation of body cells that prevent mineral
loss from bones. Additionally, vitamin K promotes the production of a
protein called osteocalcin, which is significant for maintaining bone
mineral density. Above all, it’s worth knowing that adequate consumption
of vitamin K, for example, by incorporating chives into various foods
and dishes, can reduce calcium excretion through urine, which is one of
the common causes of bone depletion.
3. Eases the Digestion Process One of the most beneficial properties of chives lies in their ability to help the body eliminate a variety of harmful bacteria, fungi, and yeasts that reside in the intestines and digestive tract, which can significantly harm the body and the digestion process. Among other things, the antibacterial properties of chives can help eliminate no less than 30 strains of Salmonella, a notorious bacterium that can cause severe intestinal distress. Chives contain an excellent combination of dietary fiber along with components such as B vitamins (B3, B5, B1), phosphoric acid, and zinc – all known to ease the digestive system and accelerate its function. This phytochemical mixture can also alleviate stomach pain, so it is recommended to eat chives when you experience such discomfort.
4. Contributes to Strengthening and Supporting the Immune System
Not only can your digestion process improve and be supported by consuming chives – but your entire immune system, which keeps your body strong, can benefit as well. In addition to everything we’ve mentioned so far, it should be noted that chives contain a moderate amount of selenium, a mineral important for strengthening the immune system. Immune cells lacking selenium may struggle to produce proteins and transport calcium. Furthermore, the vitamin C in chives supports the immune system, helping to enhance the production of white blood cells and collagen, a vital component for the regeneration of arteries, tissues, and muscles.
5. Beneficial for Pregnant Women
Another essential component found in chives, which is of utmost
importance for pregnant women, is folic acid – crucial for ensuring the
fetus’s well-being and proper development. This acid prevents the
formation of defects in the neural tube of the fetus and generally aids
in brain development, cell division, and DNA synthesis. Therefore, it is
recommended for women who are even just trying to conceive to consume
high doses of it – primarily through dietary supplements, but also by
eating foods rich in it, such as chives.
6. May Support Skin Health
Chives can benefit not only the body’s internal systems and organs but
also our external appearance – specifically our skin and hair, which we
care for just as much. Chives are an excellent source of beta-carotene,
an antioxidant that stimulates skin vitality and helps it glow; the
vitamin C in chives, which we’ve already discussed in the context of the
immune system, also has antioxidant properties that help combat skin
aging and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, stretch marks, and acne.
7. Preserves Vision Ability
Not only carrots or various colorful vegetables can help you maintain
eye health and high vision capabilities – the greenish chives also have
this ability, a benefit worth utilizing. This advantage is linked to the
compounds lutein and zeaxanthin found in chives, which help reduce
oxidative stress on the eye, strengthen overall vision, and prevent the
development of cataracts. Another component in chives is quercetin,
which studies have found helps preserve vision in those suffering from
macular degeneration.
8. Helps Cleanse the Body of Toxins
Chives have a mild diuretic effect, which, combined with their other
virtues – such as the antioxidant activity they promote and the
antibacterial properties we’ve already detailed – greatly aids in
cleansing and purifying the body of harmful substances. By increasing
urination, chives help the body eliminate the accumulation of toxins,
salts, and even fats – and when this happens, the body’s systems and
organs can function more smoothly, ensuring that toxic and dangerous
substances are properly expelled from the body.
9. Improves Sleep Quality and Mood
In addition to all the components, nutrients, and vitamins we’ve already
mentioned that chives are blessed with, you can also find choline in
them – a small compound that serves as a precursor to several other
important compounds in many living organisms’ cells. It is also a vital
component for us humans, helping to promote good and proper sleep. It is
well known that good sleep is an important factor in our quality of
life and can help regulate our mood – so chives can certainly be
credited with an advantage in supporting mental well-being. Furthermore,
the folic acid we’ve already told you is present in chives is known to
promote the production of dopamine and serotonin in the body – two
significant hormones responsible for elevating mood and fostering a
sense of well-being.
10. Contributes to the Body’s Ability to
Fight Cancer
According to a study published in 2008 in the professional journal for
biological, biotechnological, and biochemical sciences, chives contain a
chemical compound called Diallyl trisulfide, which may have the
potential to help the body fight cancer. Another study conducted at
Nihon University in Japan and published in the Asian-Pacific Journal of
Cancer Prevention found that the risk of developing cancer may be lower
among people who regularly consume foods from the garlic plant family,
which includes chives, and which contain an exceptionally high
concentration of the aforementioned anti-cancer compound. Another study
worth mentioning in this context was published in 2015 in the journal
for cancer prevention research, highlighting the importance of sulfur
compounds found in chives and other garlic-related vegetables and their
distinct ability to reduce the biological activity of carcinogenic
factors in the body.